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THE MUSIC MAN LEADS THE PARADE AT THE MALTZ JUPITER THEATRE

November 12, 2012 (Jupiter) – The beloved family musical The Music Man is just weeks away from its debut as the most heartwarming, dazzling show this season at the Maltz Jupiter Theatre!

With performances November 27 through December 16, this classic American musical takes audiences on a toe-tapping adventure with fast-talking salesman Professor Harold Hill, who convinces the townspeople of River City, Iowa that they need a band, instruments and uniforms. His plans to skip town with their money come to a crashing halt when he falls in love and has to face the music. This Tony Award®-winning sensation is a treat for the entire family!

“This show is entertaining for everyone. The tunes are irresistible, the lyrics are funny and clever, and each song pulls the audience in,” said Andrew Kato, the Theatre’s producing artistic director. “The Music Man is a fun-filled tale of risk and redemption, and I think that audience members of all ages will delight in the story’s sense of adventure and classic American sound.”

With book, music, and lyrics by Meredith Willson (and based on a story by Willson and Franklin Lacey), The Music Man features unforgettable songs such as “Til There Was You,” and “Seventy-six Trombones,” and will star 30 multi-talented performers. Directed by Mark Martino, it will also feature a full orchestra, more than 100 dazzling costumes and a versatile set.

“The Music Man offers some of the most thrilling and innovative scores ever written for musical theatre, including stirring marches, gorgeous barbershop quartets, propulsive character songs, exuberant song-and-dance numbers, achingly beautiful ballads and soaring love songs,” Martino said. “All of these songs are supported by a book that is populated by an eccentric, funny and lovable group of River City citizens – and centered by a truly moving love story.”

Mark Martino, a director and choreographer who works at some of the nation’s best regional theaters, is well known locally for his work on the Theatre’s past productions of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, the Carbonell Award-winning Crazy for You, Beehive and the Carbonell-nominated La Cage aux Folles and The Boy Friend.

The musical became a Broadway hit in 1957, winning five Tony Awards® and running for 1,375 performances. The cast album won a Grammy Award and was number one on the Billboard charts for 245 weeks, and the show's success led to a popular 1962 film adaptation starring Robert Preston.

The Theatre’s version is unique because it is being choreographed by Carbonell-winning choreographer Shea Sullivan, who led the dance moves for Crazy for You at the Theatre. Since the majority of the musical’s performers are “triple threats” – meaning they can sing, dance and act – Sullivan is adding more complex dancing than is usually seen in the production. The Theatre is also including nine local children among the show’s professional cast, cast through a series of high-profile First Step to Stardom auditions during the spring and fall.

The Music Man will star Carbonell-winning performer Matt Loehr as Professor Harold Hill, who made his debut at the Maltz Jupiter Theatre two seasons ago as the leading role in Crazy for You, for which he received the Carbonell award, and also starred as Cornelius Hackl last season in the Theatre’s production of Hello, Dolly! The role of Marian Paroo will be played by Mandy Bruno, who has starred on Broadway in Les Miserables and Patti Lupone’s Gypsy. She also spent six years in the role of Marina Cooper on CBS’s Guiding Light, for which she earned a Daytime Emmy Award Nomination.

“Bring the whole family and hop on the Wells Fargo Wagon to the Maltz Jupiter Theatre this holiday season for an enchanting evening that’ll be as sweet and American as apple pie – and as thrilling and exciting as Fourth of July fireworks!” Martino said.

The Music Man is sponsored by Peggy and Rick Katz. Tickets are now on sale for the theatre’s entire 10th Anniversary season. For a complete schedule and tickets, call (561) 575-2223 or visit www.jupitertheatre.org.

About the Maltz Jupiter TheatreNow celebrating its 10th season, the not-for-profit Maltz Jupiter Theatre has become one of Florida’s preeminent professional theatres, committed to production and education through its collaborations with local and national artists. Currently the state’s largest award-winning regional theatre, the Theatre draws over 70,000 people annually, serves a subscription base of more than 7,550 and has world-class classroom facilities in support of its Paul and Sandra Goldner Conservatory of Performing Arts, which serves hundreds of youth and adults. The Theatre is a member of the prestigious League of Resident Theatres and has earned numerous Carbonell Awards, South Florida’s highest honor for artistic excellence, including the prestigious Bill Von Maurer Award for Theatrical Excellence in 2012. For more information about the Theatre’s upcoming shows and Conservatory, visit www.jupitertheatre.org or call the box office at (561) 575-2223.

The Music ManTuesday, November 27 – Sunday, December 16This classic American musical takes us on a toe-tapping adventure with fast-talking salesman Professor Harold Hill, who convinces the townspeople of River City, Iowa that they need a band, instruments and uniforms. His plans to skip town with their money comes to a crashing halt when he falls in love and has to face the music. With unforgettable songs such as “Til There Was You,” and “Seventy-six Trombones,” this Tony Award®-winning sensation is a treat for the entire family. Sponsored by Peggy and Rick Katz. Visit http://jupitertheatre.org/shows/themusicman/ for showtimes; tickets start at $46. Phone: (561) 575-2223.

Special events:

Talk Back: Following the 7:30 p.m. performance of The Music Man on Friday, Dec. 7, audience members will be treated to a 20-minute ‘Talk Back,’ or an interactive question-and-answer session with the show’s stars.

School Spirit Night: For students 18 and under, get into the spirit with the Theatre’s popular annual School Spirit Night, featuring a performance of The Music Man on Friday, November 30. Whether you come with your drama club (groups of 10 or more) or with a friend, you can buy a mezzanine ticket for only $15 (subject to availability), with a post-show dessert meet-and-greet with the cast.

Family Night Out: During Family Night Out at The Music Man, parents can enjoy the evening production on Saturday, Dec. 8, while their children (ages 5 and up) explore acting, voice and movement in the Theatre’s Paul and Sandra Goldner Conservatory of Performing Arts.

Groups: Matinee and evening performances of The Music Man are available, with group discounts for 20 or more. Perfect for church groups, civic organizations or girl scouts – and tickets make the perfect gift! Gift certificates are available at the box office.

The Music Man in the community:

Abacoa’s Free Movie on the Green, featuring The Music Man At 7 p.m. on Nov. 16th, join the community at Abacoa for this Academy Award-winning film, featuring Shirley Jones and Robert Preston – and a special brief music performance from the Maltz Jupiter Theatre’s The Music Man at 6:30 p.m.! This Tony Award-winning sensation is fun for the entire family. Get into the holiday spirit with The Music Man and spend Friday night outside under the stars. Sponsored by Allegro Senior Living! For more information or to find out how you can be a sponsor, please visit www.abacoa.com.

Light the Night at Downtown at the GardensCome spend the evening as Downtown at the Gardens ‘Light Up the Night’ from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Nov. 24 in the Centre Court as the Maltz Jupiter Theatre presents their Youth Touring Company and a performance from The Music Man. Bring the entire family and get into the holiday spirit with an evening of holiday classics, Broadway and fun toe-tapping music. Following the entertainment, the countdown begins for Downtown at the Gardens to explode in multicolor lights as they twinkle and dance to Christmas music. For more information, visit downtownatthegardens.com.

The Jupiter Tequesta Athletic Association 36th annual Christmas parade: Broadway on Parade The theme of the JTAA 36th annual Christmas parade is Broadway on Parade, in honor of the Maltz Jupiter Theatre’s 10th Anniversary Season. The parade will step off at 1 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 9, from Alt. A1A and Center Street (in Jupiter) to Bridge Road (in Tequesta). Floats will be judged by the Jupiter Tequesta Junior Women’s Club and prizes awarded in three categories. Leading the committee of longtime friends and acquaintances are the parade’s directors, Jupiter residents Mike and Sue Cesarano, who have spearheaded the event for the past 27 years. The event draws at least four bands, numerous floats, more than 2,000 participants and more than 5,000 spectators each year. Visit www.jtaa.org and click on the “holiday parade” icon for more information.